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Introduction. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is associated with many health problems, such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Objectives. To identify adolescents’ beliefs concerning SSB abstinence. Methods. Based on the Reasoned Action Approach, thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents (12-17 years). They were selected based on age, sex and setting in order to ensure a broad representation of adolescents from two French-speaking regions of the province of Quebec in Canada (Eastern Canada). Adolescents were invited to answer eight open-ended questions regarding SSB abstinence in the next month. A qualitative content analysis was performed independently by two experts to identify the most important beliefs. Results. According to adolescents, the main advantage of abstaining from SSB was that it would be good for their health and the main disadvantage was that they would have to give up products they liked drinking for the taste. Parents and friends seemed to be the most important social influences regarding abstaining from SSB. Adolescents mentioned many barriers to SSB abstinence, such as contextual barriers (e.g., special occasions, eating out, following sports activities), the presence of SSB drinkers, advertisements promoting SSB, and the urge to drink SSB. Facilitating factors included absence of SSB at home/school, having easy access to water and pure fruit juices, and receiving information about the negative health effects of SSB. Discussion/Conclusions. The results of this preliminary study can be used to guide the development of interventions to promote SSB abstinence among adolescents., Introduction. La consommation de boissons sucrées (BS) est associée à de nombreux problèmes de santé tels que l'obésité et les maladies cardiovasculaires. Objectif. Identifier les croyances des adolescents concernant l'abstinence de consommer des boissons sucrées (ACBS). Méthodes. Fondées sur l'Approche de l'action raisonnée, trente entrevues semi-structurées ont été réalisées avec des adolescents (12-17 ans). La sélection selon l'âge, le sexe et le milieu a permis d'assurer une large représentation d'adolescents de deux régions francophones du Québec (Est du Canada). Suivant la définition des BS, les adolescents ont répondu à huit questions ouvertes au sujet de l'ACBS au cours du mois à venir. Une analyse qualitative de contenu réalisée indépendamment par deux experts a permis d'identifier les croyances les plus importantes. Résultats. Le principal avantage de l'ACBS est le bénéfice pour la santé et le principal désavantage est de ne pas pouvoir boire des produits dont ils aiment le goût. Les parents et les amis semblent les personnes les plus influentes concernant l'ACBS. De nombreux obstacles à l'ACBS ont été identifiés, tels que le contexte (occasions spéciales, au restaurant, après les activités sportives), la présence de personnes qui boivent des BS, les publicités sur les BS et l'envie d'en boire. Les facteurs facilitants comprenaient l'absence de BS à la maison ou à l'école, un accès facile à l'eau et à des jus de fruits purs et l'information sur les conséquences des BS. Discussion/conclusion. Les résultats de cette étude préliminaire peuvent guider le développement d'interventions favorisant l'abstinence de la consommation de BS chez les adolescents.

Cooking at home is associated with health benefits, and 10- and 11-year-old children are capable of participating in meal preparation. However, opportunities for children to cook at home have declined. This study aimed to identify determinants of the frequency and the intention to cook at home in fifth graders using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework with quantitative methodology. A total of 241 participants across five elementary schools of the Chaudière-Appalaches region (Quebec, Canada) took part in this correlational study. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Regression analyses led to the identification of determinants of frequency and intention to cook at home. More than two-thirds of participants (69%) declared having cooked at home in the past 7 days. Intention was the only significant variable explaining 18% of the variance for frequency. Intention was determined by perceived behavioral control, attitude, descriptive norms, subjective norms, perceived barriers, being a girl, and normative beliefs, which explain 74% of the variance. Whereas other studies aiming at better understanding children’s involvement in meal preparation at home focused on self-efficacy for cooking, this study highlights other behavioral determinants. For example, support from parents appears to be crucial to promote this behavior in this age group. Future research and interventions should be oriented toward determinants such as subjective norms and normative beliefs, and focus on children’s autonomy. -- Keywords : cooking ; children ; Theory of Planned Behavior ; intention ; behavior assessment ; public health.